The two stood close, the space between them almost nonexistent.
Their breaths intertwined, faint and tangible.
“…”
Watching as lightning surged into Ren’s body, Mei nodded slightly.
At that moment, a plop resounded.
Dirt mixed with leaves landed on Ren’s head, leaving him looking a bit disheveled.
The sheer strength behind the village girl’s strike was astonishing.
“I…”
Facing her unyielding demeanor, Ren froze momentarily.
Yet, more than anything, he focused inward, his mind delving into thought.
Who would’ve thought his pull actually netted him a five-star?
His luck wasn’t bad; no rerolls this time.
And to his surprise, it turned out to be Raiden Shogun—a shocking twist indeed.
A combat talent, ready to fight upon summoning.
Even if it was just a temporary trial card.
It was still a decent outcome.
[Transcendence: Baleful Omen]
[Hand-eye” signifies great powers, where what is seen becomes enacted.]
[The Raiden Shogun can deploy her ominous hand-eye to protect her devotees, enacting judgment through lightning.]
[Limited-time trial activated. Disappears upon expiration.]
…
Returning to reality, Ren instinctively shook his head, brushing off the leaves.
Only then did he raise his gaze.
The previously faint, fragrant scent in the air had dissipated somewhat.
Mei crossed her arms and distanced herself slightly, silently observing him.
Their eyes met, a brief silence passing between them.
The village girl, naturally aloof, disliked speaking.
Meanwhile, Ren reflected on what had just occurred.
“…”
His expression stiffened as he closed his eyes.
To be pinned against a tree and wall-slammed by the village girl—it was mortifying.
After a long pause, he asked softly, “Mei, that lightning just now…”
Calming himself, Ren reevaluated.
Surely, the village girl didn’t understand the implications of a wall slam.
There was no need to overthink it.
Perhaps it was just a misguided attempt to deliver a powerful slap that ended up hitting the tree instead…
Hearing this, Mei lifted her chin and replied calmly, “That lightning? Just think of it as…”
She trailed off mid-sentence.
It was merely temporary power, and she needed to observe further.
“Think of it as?” Ren prompted.
Mei glanced deeply at him.
Should she state it outright?
Her thoughts drifted to the fox-eared woman’s words.
With humans, sometimes it’s better to preserve a little mystery.
The straightforward village girl hesitated.
After a moment, Mei turned her back to him, her voice cold.
“First, you’re too weak.”
“Up ahead is fraught with danger, yet you insist on going forward.”
“Just consider the lightning as a shrine maiden’s blessing for you.”
“…”
The mountain wind blew, biting and cold.
Ren gazed at her frosty figure, reminiscent of when they first met.
He smiled silently.
Somehow, at some point…
That fierce village girl had softened, if only slightly.
Even her clunky braided hairstyle looked more charming now.
Kind of cute.
“What are you smiling at?”
Her voice came, sharp and sudden, as though she had eyes on the back of her head.
“Just thinking that meeting you feels like a stroke of luck,” Ren replied earnestly.
Mei let out a faint hum, her icy tone thawing ever so slightly.
“Are you really a shrine maiden?”
“…”
“Between you and Yae Miko, the high priestess, who’s stronger?”
“…”
Receiving no reply, Ren sighed.
With a wave of his hand, he strode deeper into the forest.
“Stay hidden, my dear shrine maiden. There’s danger ahead.”
“Wait for me to return.”
Mei watched his retreating figure, remaining still until the surroundings grew silent.
After a long while, the corners of her lips curved slightly.
“Hmph, stay hidden?”
—
Beneath the cliff, firelight flickered.
A group of wandering ronin gathered around the flames.
In the dancing light, their hands rested on their swords, exuding a chilling aura.
Nobushi.
In Inazuma, they were samurai without allegiance.
They’d take any dirty job for survival, licking the edge of their blades to make a living.
True outlaws who lived on the brink.
“R-run! Trouble’s coming!”
A panicked voice rang out suddenly.
Moments later, a disheveled figure stumbled into view.
It was the man who had escaped earlier.
Clutching his shoulder, his face twisted in pain.
He trembled, letting go, gasping sharply as crimson stained his palm, dripping slowly.
“Damn it! Why didn’t anyone tell me about the new traps?!”
The ronin turned their gazes toward him in unison.
Beneath their tattered hats, their eyes gleamed a menacing red.
“What… what are you all doing?”
The man’s curses faltered.
Because a blade was now pressed against his throat.
The crimson on the blade mirrored the blood at his neck, sending chills down his spine.
“I’m an envoy of the Tenryou Commission!”
The ronin sneered coldly.
“To hell with the Tenryou Commission.”
“I only serve money!”
“If you didn’t bring any, your life stays here.”
The man trembled as he handed over a bundle.
The ronin weighed it in his hand and whistled.
“Not bad. Enough for us to have some fun.”
Only then did he move the blade away, slapping the man’s face lightly.
The man could only glare silently, his anger restrained.
“Fine. I’ll take you to see the boss.”
The other ronin around the fire made way.
The man instinctively looked up.
In the darkness, shadows loomed closer.
A moment later, a tall samurai stepped forward.
Clad in heavy armor and wielding a sword at his waist, his face obscured by a ferocious looking mask—
Kaijinki.
The samurai loomed over the man.
“Uh…”
The man widened his eyes, flailing his limbs in desperation.
Kaijinki tightened his grip around the man’s neck, effortlessly lifting him off the ground.
With a cold sneer, he asked, “Who’s chasing you?”
The man’s mouth opened and closed as he struggled for air, his face turning pale.
“It’s me.”
A clear voice rang out, shattering the tense silence.
Everyone froze, instinctively turning toward the source of the voice.
“Good evening.”
Ren stood atop a tree, grinning down at them.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he dropped something metallic to the ground.
Clink, clank, clang.
The scattered remains of various broken traps fell at his feet.
The Nobushi immediately drew their swords, their expressions grim.
This kid had single-handedly dismantled all of their traps!
“…”
Kaijinki’s gaze turned icy as he drew the blade at his waist.
“Since you’re here, you’re dead!”
Ren’s smile grew colder as he replied slowly, “We’ll see about that.”
—
This is a fan translation of 原神：人在提瓦特，贴贴就能变强 by 萌红叶. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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